BMW X5 gets off road package on 2019 model

With the BMW X7 taking the reins as the flagship SUV in the BMW range, the 2019 X5 will be focussed on being more versatile.

One way BMW hopes to achieve this is by offering an off-road package, which is said to enable true rough-road performance from the large SUV.

BMW is touting its performance by showing off the X5 in its testing phase, stating that one day it will be tackling the arctic circle, with the next spent circling the Nürburgring.

The suspension is key to this, with the X5 blasting through various surfaces snow, sand, rocks or gravel roads to properly test out what BMW calls its “completely new suspension technology”.

Off road package

BMW is keeping very quite about what the new tech is, except to say that it’s the first time this kind of suspension has been fitted to an X model. Which makes sense, given no other X model will be heading off road.

The off road package allows the X5 to be set up for bush bashing in an instant, with a button on the centre console lifting the height of the vehicle, most likely using air suspension. But although the suspension tech must be similar to something else in the BMW range, perhaps from the latest 7 Series, the X5 will get extra height.

The company says it will still deliver the best ride comfort for on-road and that the suspension is “virtually unique within the competitive field”. Let’s hope they’re not forgetting about the Range Rover Velar, which also has height-adjustable and adaptive suspension.

Speaking of which, Adaptive M Suspension Professional and Integral Active Steering (also known as rear wheel steering) are being offered on the 2019 BMW X5.

What else do we know?

For starters, the styling is an evolutionary approach that reflects its nomenclature, sitting somewhere between the X3 and X7 in terms of front end looks.

You can see glimpses of the new, larger kidney grille in the video below, especially when the SUV is doing its water crossing.

Inside, we can expect a similar theme to its current product range, with a digital instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment system controlled via iDrive6.

There will be an off-road button in the centre console, but the whole look should be a lot cleaner than previous X models.

The X5 will run on the new cluster architecture (called CLAR) which sits underneath the new X3, plus the 5, 6 and 7 Series vehicles. The X7 will be running on the same platform also, albeit lengthened.

Under the bonnet will be similar engine offerings as you’ll find in the 5 Series, which means some 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engines (and possibly diesels as well), but the majority of X5s will come with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre straight six petrol.

It will come in 300hp (and greater) versions, with an eight-speed automatic transmission the likely gearbox.

We’d also expect the twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 to make an appearance in the X5 M50i (making around 450hp) and for those needing even more grunt there will be a 600-plus horsepower X5 M.

Electrification hasn’t been forgotten, with a plug-in hybrid version also likely, perhaps even from the launch later this year.

A passionate writer, editor and driver, Karl is the go-to man when it comes to four wheels. With stints in television, radio, print and online, Karl has been writing about cars for more than a decade. He drives around 100 vehicles every year and has tested everything from Bugattis to Suzukis. Sometimes on track, sometimes off-road, his focus is on producing objective journalism without fear or favour.

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